![]() ![]() Instead of simply training customers to use the SAS Viya platform, Townsend wants to contribute to the common understanding around AI. Townsend says SAS customers value the company’s perspective in the AI space, not just regarding the technology, but also the operational and regulatory aspects. SAS is working on developing external training surrounding responsible AI, as well. (Phonlamai-Photo/Shutterstock) Developing a Common Knowledge Around AI “So, it’s less about giving people explicit instruction beyond the definitions but putting people into actual situations to have to grapple with some of these conundrums, if you will.” ‘Is that what you want to disclose in the midst of a sales conversation or consulting engagement? What are the reasons why you would? And what are some of the reasons why you wouldn’t?’” he said. “We’re talking about making sure that we are in a position to be held to account for certain capabilities. He said the first part of that journey involved getting people on the same page about what accountability truly means and allowing them to go through use cases of their own where they must face the tensions that exist between AI capabilities and accountability. “The training starts with our principles,” Townsend told Datanami in an interview. In his presentation, Townsend noted the goal of the training was to put people in the best possible position to recognize and respond to AI ethical risk in as close to real-time as possible, ideally at the point of transaction. This training involves risk management techniques and methods to establish what Townsend calls a level of cultural fluency and behaviors around responsible AI throughout the company. One way Townsend’s team works towards those principles is by developing ongoing internal training for all SAS employees. ![]() The principles guiding the Data Ethics Practice are human centricity, transparency, inclusivity, privacy and security, robustness, and accountability. Townsend explained how a year ago, SAS formalized its commitment to responsible AI innovation by establishing a set of data ethics principles that have helped to anchor the company during this time of rapid AI innovation. (Source: SAS) A Commitment to Responsible AI Reggie Townsend presents on stage at SAS Innovate in Orlando. “I believe we have the most comprehensive trustworthy AI platform for data scientists and developers on the planet, bar none.” “We want to make sure we’re being ethical by design in building trustworthiness into the platform to enable our customers to build compliant, responsible AI with SAS,” he said on stage. Townsend delivered a presentation during the opening session where he emphasized how trust is central to meaningful relationships and civil societies but warned that AI creates an opportunity to erode that trust in many ways. Responsible AI was a major theme at SAS Innovate in sunny Florida. He is also one of our 2023 Datanami People to Watch. In addition to leading the Data Ethics Practice, Townsend is a member of the National Artificial Intelligence Advisory Committee that advises the President on issues related to AI. “It’s a moment that impacts all of us, and we need all the smart people to bring all of their talents to this conversation,” he said during a press conference at SAS Innovate in Orlando last week. Instead of retreating from the risks and uncertainties that AI brings, SAS VP of Data Ethics Practice Reggie Townsend wants us to meet this moment together. Since the mainstream release of ChatGPT, artificial intelligence and its promises and pitfalls are on the minds of more people than ever before. ![]()
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